ROWS OF TULIPS curve across a hillside at Brand Farms in Dakota County, splashing color into the agrarian landscape. Vivid red and bright yellow. Softer pinks. Multi-hued flowers of orange and yellow, purple and white. And more.
The colorful tulips contrast with the dark soil of a bare field and the sometimes cloudy sky in a land awakening to spring.
Here, along a dusty gravel road northeast of Farmington, the Brands welcome visitors to their first annual Tulip Festival, featuring 36 tulip varieties—160,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands—planted on three acres of this fourth-generation family farm.
Days after the tulip fest opened, Randy and I met our eldest daughter at the farm, climbed onto a tractor-drawn wagon, settled onto straw bales and bumped our way out to the tulip field, the driver narrating information about the farm along the way.
This is a working crop, dairy and chicken farm, also with an apple orchard, a farm market, community supported agriculture (CSA) and side crops of flowers, sunflowers and pumpkins. The Brands have diversified into agri-tourism with events like tulip and sunflower festivals, apple and pumpkin picking. We’ve been here previously in autumn with the two oldest grandkids and their parents.
On this weekday afternoon, mostly adults wandered the tulip field. A strong wind whipped across the rolling hills as we meandered, photographed—there are lots of fun photo props—took in the breathtaking beauty of blooms. Some 40 percent of the tulips had not yet opened. Weather always factors in to farming.
Even for kids who may not be all that interested in looking at tulips, this festival offers plenty of activities like a mountain of straw bales to scale; plastic farm animals to hop on; a giant pad to bounce upon; basketballs to sink; a bin of shelled corn to play in; and more.
There’s a farm food truck, too, vending walking tacos, beverages, ice cream treats and such. From 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Prairie Potluck brings live music to the Tulip Festival. Weekends can get especially busy here with families.
Festival aside, as someone who grew up on a southwestern Minnesota dairy and crop farm, I appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with my rural roots here. It’s not often anymore that I set foot upon a working farm. And when I do, I realize how much agriculture still means to me decades removed from rural life.
While at Brand Farms, I longed to pet the calves, but had to settle for taking photos of the Holsteins. I realize the Brands can’t have people poking around everywhere. They offer just enough exposure to farm life to inform and educate with scheduled educational tours as another option.
Once we returned from the tulip field to the farm site and I photographed the cows and calves, we walked through the farm store before heading to the U-pick tulip patch. Planted at the bottom of a hill and semi-sheltered from the wind, the tulips bloomed more color into Brand Farms.
It’d been a delightful 1½ hours on this family farm, originally purchased in 1957 by German immigrants, Anton and Marie Brand. Today their great grandson, Aaron/”Farmer Aaron” farms here with his father. For a farm to remain in the family for four generations is worth celebrating, just as tulips are on a cool and windy afternoon in early May.
FYI: The Tulip Festival is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. until around May 24. Check before heading to the farm as weather could impact the end date. There is an admission price. The farm is located at 18605 Biscayne Avenue, rural Farmington. The Brand Barn store is open daily from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. selling farm-fresh eggs, meats, apples and more.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Persistent peaceful protest April 23, 2026
Tags: America, children's picture book, commentary, concerns, current issues, democracy, Faribault, First Amendment rights, free speech, Iran War, Minnesota, Operation Metro Surge, peace, protest, protest signs, protesting, rural Minnesota, war
THEY PROTESTED during the Vietnam War. Larry, Karl and Mary, who was tear-gassed at the University of Minnesota back in the day. Nearly 60 years later, they are on the protest line again, holding signs, voicing their concerns.
And I’m there, too, standing along Minnesota State Highway 60/Fourth Street in Faribault exercising my First Amendment rights to free speech. I never thought that at my age, I would become a protester. But nearly every Saturday morning from 11 a.m.-noon for the past three months, I’ve stood in solidarity with Larry, Karl, Mary, Kate, Mercedes, Randy, Raven, Matt, Barb, Kirsten, John, Gary, Wendy, Elizabeth, Josh, Sheri, Mark, Ann, Reed, Susan, Donna, Travis, Carrie, Allison, Hannah…up to 175 people at the most recent No Kings Day protest.
I’m proud to call these kind, compassionate and caring individuals my friends. Some I’ve met on the protest line; others I knew previously. Whether friendships old or new, I value every single person who is taking a public stand against the chaos unfolding in this country. There is value in protesting.
We express our concerns in the signs we craft, or buy, and hold for passing motorists to see. Concerns about immigration enforcement, the environment, Constitutional rights, the Epstein files, voting rights, the future of our democracy, human rights, data centers, the economy, incompetency of elected officials, un-presidential images with comparisons to Jesus…and most recently the war in Iran.
I have a stash of signs in my basement and continue to create new ones. When issues pop up, I pull out the markers, the tag board or cardboard, the stencils and write a message. There’s no shortage of concerns I hold for this country and world under the current federal leadership.
Lately I’ve held “Peace, not war” signs. It’s an issue on everyone’s mind, this unnecessary war our president started without Congressional approval, without a clear understanding of the Iranian regime’s mindset, without an exit. American soldiers are dying. The economy is a mess. And on and on. Threats to bomb away a civilization don’t sit well with me. Nor do comparisons to Jesus or attacks on Pope Leo XIV.
Peace has always felt elusive. Even on the protest line, where we practice peace, we sometimes find ourselves under verbal attack from motorists who clearly support the president and his agenda. We’ve been yelled at, called “stupid, retarded, mentally ill, dumb a**es” and more while getting the middle finger sometimes accompanied by a “f**k you!”. We just smile and wave, refusing to give these angry MAGA individuals the negative reaction they desire. That said, when they drive dangerously close to us at a high rate of speed, they cross the line from free speech to public endangerment.
Nearly 60 years ago, Larry, Karl and Mary were young adults protesting the Vietnam War. I admire that they are back on the protest line. They understand the importance of speaking up, of not remaining silent.
Creatives like Wendy Anderson Halperin also understand how we can use our voices to make a difference. I recently found her book, simply titled Peace, at my local library. Published in 2013, this children’s picture book is especially relevant today. I encourage you to read it, to study Halperin’s detailed illustrations and to read the many quotes woven into the artwork. Quotes that are thought-provoking, uplifting, revealing, encouraging.
I leave you with two quotes printed in Peace:
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”—Jimi Hendrix.
“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth.”—William Faulkner.
RELATED: Sahan Journal, a nonprofit digital newsroom in Minnesota dedicated to reporting for immigrants and people of color, published an outstanding article on April 21 about more than 70 Minnesota children detained by federal immigration agents during Operation Metro Surge. This is an eye-opening story that should be read by everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Click here to read.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling